Master of Education in Library Science
The Master of Education in Library Science provides advanced training in library science, information management, educational librarianship, and school library management. Students learn library management, information organisation, cataloguing, digital libraries, and school library services. The programme is designed for teachers and education professionals seeking advanced library science qualifications.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 267,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 534,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 191,050 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Bachelor's Degree (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop advanced competencies in library management, information organisation, cataloguing and classification, digital libraries, school library services, and educational librarianship. The curriculum covers library science, information organisation, cataloguing and classification, digital libraries, research methods, and a research thesis. Practical skills are developed through library practicum and projects.
Library science expertise is important for Kenya's education sector. Schools, colleges, and universities require trained librarians and information professionals. Kenya's growing information needs and digital transformation create demand for library science expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced library science training in educational contexts.
The programme combines classroom lectures with library practicum, case studies, and research. Students study library science concepts, practise cataloguing and classification, examine digital library issues, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, library practicum, case studies, and research supervision. The programme is offered in full-time and part-time modes.
Graduates find employment as school librarians, university librarians, library managers, or information managers in schools, universities, libraries, and information centres. The master's degree supports careers in educational librarianship, library management, and information services.
This programme is ideal for teachers and education professionals seeking advanced library science qualifications. The programme provides advanced skills for library management, information organisation, and educational librarianship.
What you study
10 subjects- Library Management
- Information Organisation
- Cataloguing and Classification
- Digital Libraries
- School Library Services
- Educational Librarianship
- Research Methods
- Information Retrieval
- Collection Development
- Thesis Research
Modules
8 in the programmeLibrary Management and Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Library management covering library administration, staff management, budgeting, strategic planning, and managing library operations and services.
Information Organisation and Cataloguing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Information organisation covering cataloguing, classification systems (DDC, LCC), subject headings, metadata, and organising information resources.
Collection Development and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Collection development covering collection development policies, selection, acquisition, evaluation, weeding, and managing library collections.
Research Methods in Library Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, library and information science research, and research ethics.
Digital Libraries and Information Technology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital libraries covering digital library design, digital collections, institutional repositories, and information technology in library services.
School Library Services and Educational Librarianship
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
School library services covering school library management, information literacy instruction, curriculum support, and promoting reading culture in schools.
Information Retrieval and Reference Services
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Information retrieval covering search strategies, databases, and reference services covering reference interviews, user services, and information literacy.
Thesis Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research thesis on a library science topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to library and information science knowledge.
Specialisations
School Librarianship
Focus on school library management, information literacy instruction, curriculum support, and promoting reading culture in schools.
Digital Libraries
Focus on digital library design, digital collections, institutional repositories, and information technology in library services.
Information Management
Focus on information organisation, retrieval, metadata, and managing information resources in digital environments.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on library science or information organisation with afternoon library practicum and cataloguing workshops. Students study library management, practise cataloguing and classification, examine digital library technologies, and conduct research. Library practicum provides hands-on experience in library operations, collection management, and user services. The programme emphasises library management competence, information organisation skills, and educational librarianship.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Library science skills are evolving with digital transformation, creating new opportunities in digital information management. | Career opportunities are limited, with relatively low demand for librarians in Kenya. |
| Offered at Kenyatta University, Kenya's leading university for library and information science education. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility. |
| Combines library science with education, providing specialised skills for school and educational librarianship. | Library budgets in Kenyan schools and institutions are often limited, affecting employment opportunities. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 education coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
KU MLIS 267K/yr (joweri.com). OUK 93.75K/yr (ouk.ac.ke). Kabarak 165K, AIU 191K.
HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. KU may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Bachelor of Education degree in a related field with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from a recognised institution, or Second Class (Lower Division) with at least 2 years of relevant work experience, or Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Credit II and above.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.
Including Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.
Including Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework and Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, written examinations, and cataloguing assignments evaluating understanding of library science concepts.
Library Practicum and Projects
Practical30% of the mark
Library practicum assessments, cataloguing projects, and digital library assignments evaluating practical library skills.
Thesis Defence
Project30% of the mark
A research thesis demonstrating research competence in library science, defended before an examination panel.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
KU is chartered by CUE. MEd programme accredited by CUE.
Kenyatta University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MEd programme is accredited by CUE.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesSchool Librarian
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages a school library, providing library services, information literacy instruction, and curriculum support for students and teachers.
University Librarian
Low demand
Works as a librarian in a university library, managing collections, providing reference services, and supporting academic research.
Library Manager
Low demand
Manages library operations in public or special libraries, overseeing collections, staff, services, and library programmes.
Information Manager
Moderate demand
Manages information resources and services in organisations, applying library science skills to information management and organisation.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as school librarians, university librarians, and library managers in schools, universities, and information centres, with opportunities for educational librarianship and information management.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Library science is just about shelving books.
Library science covers information organisation, digital libraries, cataloguing, collection development, information retrieval, and library management, not just shelving books.
Digital technology is making librarians obsolete.
Digital technology is transforming library services, creating new roles for librarians in digital information management, data curation, and digital literacy education.
School libraries don't need professional librarians.
School libraries require trained librarians to develop collections, teach information literacy, support curriculum, and promote reading culture in schools.
Library science is not relevant in the digital age.
Library science is highly relevant in the digital age, with growing demand for information management, digital preservation, and data organisation skills.